Father accused of hijacking ambulance with son inside

GASTONIA, NC (FOX 46) - A Charlotte father is facing several charges after police said he hijacked an ambulance carrying his 4-year-old son Tuesday in Gastonia.

The ordeal started when the father called for an ambulance for his ill son.

According to police, once the father and his son were inside the ambulance the father hijacked the vehicle and ended up on I-85.

At 11 a.m. police were notified about a paramedic driving an ambulance not being allowed to go to the hospital.

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Police said they spotted the ambulance at I-85 and New Hope Road and saw the suspect assault the driver. On radio traffic, a police officer can be heard telling a dispatcher, "{C}{C}{C}{C}{C}{C}Patient has taken over the ambulance, not letting the driver stop."

The ambulance was eventually stopped in McAdenville where the father was taken into custody, but only after resisting and assaulting officers, according to Gastonia Police.

Two paramedics were inside the ambulance. The father and his 4-year-old son were not injured. EMS said the paramedics were emotionally shaken up.

EMS said the father would not let paramedics get back on the radio in the ambulance, but they were able to get an initial call out for help over the radio. Dispatch was able to track the ambulance's GPS.

The father, Bobby Renard Glenn, 22, is facing two counts of first degree kidnapping, resisting a public officer, assault on a government official, misdemeanor child abuse and communicating threats.

Glenn was taken to CaroMont Regional Medical Center to be checked before being admitted to the Gaston County Jail after medical staff found his heart rate up.

The Gaston County Department of Social Services was called and is involved.

Authorities said Glenn's motives for hijacking the ambulance are unclear.

Glenn is being held without bond at this time. He will have a probable cause hearing on February 28.